Photograph-print washer



I June 1929' w. J. KEYES 1,71

PHOTOGRAPH PRINT WASHER Filed Sept. 6, 1927 Inventor 7ft]: flames,

Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. REYES, OF SAGINAW, WEST SIDE, MICI-ITGAN.

PHOTOGRAPH-PRINT WASHER.

Application filed September 6, 1927. Serial No. 217,803.

My invention relates to a device for washing photostat and photograph prints, and the same relates more particularly to a washer wherein the prints may be placed after having been developed for the purpose of thoroughly removing any acid deposits remaining thereon.

One of the most important objects of this invention, is to provide a washer constructed of several tanks having a continuous flow of water therethrough, and yet only requiring a single water supply teed pipe.

Still another object is to prevent by a novel construction, the sticking together of the prints during the operation of washing a large number of prints together.

A further object is to provide a washer which is very manageable, simple in construction, and notably accessible should any of the parts require attention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is better understood from the description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation 01" the washer in partial section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the end opposite the end the supply pipe enters showing the same in partial section.

For a more detailed explanation of the drawings, the numerals thereon will desig nate like parts of the construction. An upper elongated tank 1 and a lower tank 2 of approximately equal proportions are supported in horizontal position, by brace members 3 which are provided with suitable brackets 4, upper and lower, upon which thetanks rest.

It has been found convenient to have the upper tank overhang the lower tank somewhat at one end, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. Considerably more access may be had to the lower tank in view of this novel arrangement.

A water supply pipe 5 delivers water thru a pair of reduced pipes 6 for discharge within the upper tank. These reduced pipes extend within the tank for a substantial. distance on the opposite side and adjacent the bottom thereof.

Guide plates 7 are spaced from the inner sides of the tank while suitable flanges 8 are retained in position by hook members 9 located at the top of the pipes. The reduced plates 6 are adapted to extend within the space provided between the guide plate and e inner side of the tank Wall, and to have their discharge ends terminate therein. The overhanging portion of the upper tank is formed through its bottom 10, with an opening through which extends an overflow pipe 11.

The upper end of this overflow pipe terminates within the upper tank at a suitable distance from the top edge of the same, while the lower portion is fed inwardly on a plane just above the bottom of the lower tank. At this point, the overflow pipe is divided into a pair of reduced pipes 12, which extend into the lowertank in the same manner as to the reduced pipe 6 of the upper tank.

The lower tank is also provided with guide plates 7 identical with those of the upper tank. the bottom is formed with an opening through which a second overflow pipe 13 extends, and which is arranged in the same manner as the overflow pipe of the upper tank, except that the lower end of the pipe ofthe lower tank discharges into preferably a sink, which may serve as a third washing tank if so desired. The guard fingers 14 are secured to the supply end of the tanks and extend inwardly beyond the overflow pipe and are bent downwardly below the overflow level.

These fingers prevent the photograph prints from floating over the overflow pipe causing the same to become clogged.

In operation, the copies or prints are first placed in the tank and sink if the latter is used in conjunction with my outfit between the opposed plates 7. Suitable control means regulate the flow of water through the supply pipe 5 to the reduced pipe 6. The discharge of water from pipe 6 occur within the space between the guide plate and the walls of the upper tank. The water thus discharged, flows in acurrent toward the back end of the tank where it is diverted and caused to'flow inwardly toward the prints.

At the supply end of the lower tank,

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim as new is 1. In a washing apparatus for, cleaning photographs including a tank having a water supply inlet at one end thereof and a drain outlet, aplate arranged in spaced relation toone side Wall of the tank, said plate terminating inwardly from the end of the tank opposite the Water inlet end, said Water inlet being arranged to deliver Water between the plate and the adjacent Wall, so that the Water will flow past the end of the plate and be defiected by the end Wall of the tank to set up a current flowing backwardly through the tank for Washing the photographs and Inaintaining the same in separated relation.

2. In a Washing apparatus for cleaning photographs comprising a plurality of elongated tanks arranged in stepped relation, means for supporting the tanks in spaced relation, a Water inlet pipe projecting into the upper tank,'an overflow pipe leading from each tank into its immediately underlying tank, and branch pipes extending from the end of the inlet pipe of each tank With their discharge ends disposed adjacent the opposed side Walls of the tank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM J. KEYES. 

